Gran Melia Victoria

Had an amazing, relaxed few days stay here.

The staff are amazing, the room was large, comfortable and clean, we ate at the main restaurant, the terrace and the pool bar and the food was always delicious.

It was my hubby's birthday when we were there, and it was a great surprise to find a bottle of cava and some little cakes on return to our room in the evening of his birthday - such a wonderful touch!

The main reason for 4 stars and not 5 was our rooms decor - it was passed its best, especially the bathroom, which felt dated. Also, although the breakfast was very tasty, the selection was uninspiring.

We've read one or two comments expressing nervousness about the location of the Hotel Victoria Gran Melia after dark. These must have been made by somebody unduly nervous. The promenade along the sea front is a lovely walk and feels completely safe. In a good way, we were unprepared for the more or less universal friendliness and relaxed tolerance of resident Mallorcans towards tourists. Palma feels a very happy city, and two or three times people who saw us studying a street map stopped to ask (in perfect English) if we needed any help. At no time was there even the slightest sense of threat to our safety, anywhere.

The Hotel Victoria Gran Melia is currently next door to some extensive new building works, and we've noticed one or two online complaints about that. Our own experience was that our room balcony and window were screened from any view of the building site and the double glazing did a good job - we slept well (in the widest bed we'd ever seen - a football team could have slept in it) and used the air con. when necessary, keeping the window shut at night. (One thing I will say is that Mallorcan mosquitoes have a savage bite!

N.B: Apparently the hotel is about to close for a major refurbishment; it's expected to last 4 months but that strikes me as optimistic.... We couldn't see why the refurb. was needed, to be honest.

One tiny point is that tea and coffee facilities in the hotel room were basic. If you're happy with instant Nescafé and a kettle, fine, but for 5 stars one might expect a coffee machine and some milk in the fridge. This was the only mini-grumble we can come up with. Excellent ensuite; spacious room; comfortable bed; television; minibar; private safe; ample storage space; etc., etc., plus sea view. Breakfast limitless and excellent, with stunning harbour views from the outdoor terrace. Staff all really lovely, in keeping with the wider population. Nothing was too much trouble and their friendliness was sincere and genuine.

The walk into town wouldn't suit everybody, but is rewarding for anybody happy on foot. We walked miles each day and really enjoyed it. For others, the no. 4 bus goes from just uphill outside the hotel main entrance (the other side from the waterfront), and crosses the city very conveniently.

There are limits to what you can do without a hired car. For a first visit to a limited area of the island it was fine without wheels and we caught buses. (Warning: the longer-distance buses are under heavy tourist demand, and if the bus seats are full the driver won't stop for new passengers!)

We took the 1912 narrow-gauge electric railway up to Soller, but couldn't have done if we hadn't booked online before leaving England, owing to heavy demand.

Deia and Valldemossa recommended highly, although both fairly crowded. We walked from Soller to Fornalutx one day - very hot but views absolutely stunning. Fornalutx also crowded, but beautiful and atmospheric. We didn't use the train lines and kept to the Tramuntana region. The mountains are spectacular.